Foolish human.
"How DARE you, you in—"
Chump interrupted, his face showing more anger and resentment towards the woman.
"HOW DARE YOU ACCUSE HIM OF THIS CRUELTY?! HE IS TELLING THE TRUTH! THESE ARE MEDICINES FOR PRISONERS WHO NEED THEM TO STAY ALIVE!"
Asaga was thrown back a tiny bit. "Y-You dare to shout at me—"
The human was not finished. He spoke with even more urgency, his expression twisted in pure anger and hatred.
"YES, I DARE! AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING! YOU HAVE NO HONOR OR PRIVILEGE TO TAKE ME AS A PRISONER. You are the most cowardly person I've ever met, taking pleasure without effort!"
Ephiron could see veins popping out of the princess's forehead as the human spoke back to the semi-dragon humanoid who was double his size.
"What?!"
Chump mimicked her tone and posed for a second, "Look at you! Oh so big! So intimidating! Wow! So majestic from your side!"
Chumps throws up his arms and pokes her plain belly, trying to push her back, but only pushing himself back a bit.
"But he was the one who beat me in a fair duel! He was the one who made me a prisoner! And you are twisting the story in your favor! How will everyone see the FOURTEENTH daughter after you tell the SO BRAVE STORY of how you took an unarmed human!"
She transformed her other arm into an even larger draconic claw. Her hair began to ignite, and her crimson eyes turned a deeper shade of red.
"I hate your guts! I'll twist you and make you beg for a quick death!"
"Then why not challenge me to a fair duel as well?! Hm?! Or are you too cowardly for that?!"
Chump and Asaga both had twisted smiles, exuding the same ferocity and intensity that a berserker might. While Chump didn't possess a unique aura, it was evident to anyone that both were on the brink.
"Take a look at this!" Chump thrust his left hand in front of her face, revealing the Promise in his hand. "I can enforce promises here, you know?! How about a fair duel?! If you win, you can do whatever you want with me. If I win, you'll turn around, shut up, and never bother Ephiron again."
"Why should I!" She was about to explode in laughter before striking him.
Chump's smile morphed into a smug one as he glared at her with cocky eyes. "Oh, I see, you're looking for an easy way out. How brave and admirable of you, to take the coward's route. So imposing and impressive for 'The Daughter of Clyon,' don't you think?"
Asaga raised her hand, nearly roaring in anger at the human.
Her pride had taken a severe blow. Her ego thirsted for vengeance, but deep down, both knew that her ego wouldn't allow for a quick resolution.
"Why!… You…Little…Shit! Do you want to see him suffer?! Very well! Let's play your damn game, and I will shove your words right back in your face!"
Asaga clamped her hand onto Chump's arm with her right hand. Chump could sense her efforts to restrain herself from crushing and twisting his arm. Her breath exhaled black smoke, and her skin began to display magical Remenant lines, much like Gunnhildr.
Her crimson eyes expanded, morphing into lizard-like ones as she pulled Chump closer to demonstrate her strength.
"In the name of the Goddess, I promise a fair duel."
However, Chump didn't back down. He didn't feel intimidated by anything she did or displayed. His anger remained etched on his face.
"In the name of your st-" Chump recalled Ephiron's recommendation, "unique Goddess, I promise a fair duel."
Asaga's trembling body hovered on the brink of crushing Chump's shoulder entirely, but she managed to restrain herself.
A new Remnant line formed in both their hands; Asaga's resembled a flame, while Chump's bore another circle, identical to the contract he had made with Clem.
"I wish it could be something else here; I feel like Gaster fan art right now," Chump thought, maintaining his plain expression of acceptance.
Asaga gently pushed the human away after the "spell" had formed in both their hands.
"Where... where is the blinding flash of light that transports me to another plane?"
The giant woman laughed disrespectfully in their faces. Ephiron remained silent, observing the unexpected turn of events.
"Don't even know how all the Honor promises work? How ridiculous… Well, I will have a fun plaything tonight HUEHUEHUHEUHUE!"
"Shut up! Can we start or what? Let's do one condition for each one!"
Asaga ignored him for a few seconds while her laughter subsided.
"Fine, fine. My condition is that the duel will be TODAY! I suggest you enjoy your freedom while it lasts before I crush your bones!"
Chump smiled, his breaths coming harder, his tone radiating pride. "It will be before the sun goes down! At dusk I mean." Chump internally felt cringe. "Stop trying to be cool, keep your nerves in check yet!"
Asaga hissed back, revealing her terrifying teeth. "No external help."
Chump's expression shifted to a more serious tone. "In this city."
"Feeling fear already? Or are your guts abandoning you?"
"Say your goddamn condition already."
"HUEHUHUE! Fineeee~ Then my last condition will be…"
She placed her giant fangs behind the human, lowering her head above his and blowing smoke in front of him. He reacted by moving his head backward but didn't shut his eyes.
"No weapons."
Ephiron's eyes widened. While his expression remained calm, he had worrisome thoughts filled with questions. "No, now he barely has a chance. Chump, say no powers or Remnant; maybe with a lucky hit, you can do something."
Chump closed his eyes, shifting his gaze aside from the giant mistress. "Tch… Shit, I knew you would put a condition like that."
"KYAHAHAHAHA! Very well, then what's your condition? Hope it's the last because I don't want to drag this out further than it needs to be."
"Very well." Chump's eyes focused entirely on her ruby eyes. "My condition will be: the first one who gets knocked out or leaves the city instantly loses the duel."
The woman laughed heartily, fully straightening herself up and raising her hands. "You are incredibly stupid, aren't you? You could have said no powers, but you think you have a chance now?! Hahaha! See you later, dead man! I will enjoy your scream—"
"Yeah yeah, cut to the chase, you tyrannical whore. See you later tonight! Don't you have anything royal to do or something?"
Chump pushed her away, attempting to move her, but he only managed to move himself a few steps.
"…You are a virgin loser. Tch."
Asaga squatted a bit, exerting force on the ground. Something on her back began to grow out, momentarily appearing to tear her dress, which had two holes for what emerged.
In an instant, her back partially transformed, sprouting a pair of giant appendages resembling obsidian bat wings. Purple scales covered the main structure of the wings, and her form now unmistakably resembled that of a part-dragon creature.
With a single leap, she propelled herself into the sky a few meters, conjuring giant pillars of fire from her hand. Combining this with the swing of her enormous draconic-looking wings, she ascended into the sky, albeit somewhat slower than one might expect from her Hercules-like strength.
"See you later… Chump!" She soared away, her menacing and maniacal laughter echoing in the air for a few moments.
Until she disappeared from view in the sky.
Once she disappeared from his view, the human collapsed to his knees. His body convulsed with spasms as he gasped for air, sobbing out his pent-up emotions. Tears streamed down his face, turning it a fiery shade of red in terror.
His eyes blurred rapidly, and the surroundings became a cacophony of agonizing and painful screams. With great force, he scratched at his arms, tearing apart his skin bit by bit.
His face contorted with fear, dread, and horror, all vividly displayed. His trembling skin, sweaty hands, and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness compounded his distress.
"Holy fucking hell, she is terrifying! She's practically a walking dragon! Holy hell!"
Ephiron quickly set the medicines aside and rushed to check on the human. His stoic demeanor softened, revealing a hint of concern. His voice took on a soothing tone as he placed a comforting hand on Chump's back.
"Chump, are you alright, sir? Why did you put yourself on the line for me? Please, take slow breaths in and out."
"I need a moment right now!" Chump shouted back, but his outburst didn't deter Ephiron.
The butler stood in silence for a moment, using all his capabilities to comfort the shaken human. He offered a handkerchief, which Chump eagerly accepted and used to dry his tears. Ephiron also assisted him to his feet, providing support as Chump regained his composure after the emotional outburst.
Before Ephiron could say anything, Chump placed both hands on the taller butler's shoulders, pleading with him, "Please! Promise me that you will take care of my sister and assist her in any way she needs!"
"Sir, what ar—" Ephiron began, but he was swiftly interrupted by Chump, who was still emotionally charged from the recent confrontation.
"Ephiron! Please… Promise me! You are the only one who can do anything for her! She's the only thought, the only thing keeping me sane right now! Please! I need your word that you will keep her safe!"
Ephiron didn't hesitate. Instead, he gently took both of Chump's hands and pressed them together, locking eyes with the distraught human.
"In the name of the Goddess and the noble House Starsea, I promise to protect your sister and care for her as if she were my flesh and blood."
A soft, azure light emanated from his hand, faintly visible through his gloves. Then, Ephiron stepped away, heading toward the nearest available car, where he let out a nervous, almost manic laugh.
"Si-Sir! What are you going to do now?" Ephiron asked, processing a bit what just happened.
Chump shouted, his anger evident as he cracked his neck and bones. His expression was a volatile mixture of eagerness and hatred. "Isn't it obvious, Ephiron? I'm going to win the duel!"